As an HR officer, you should always be on the lookout for anything that’s getting in the way of employee happiness. A happy workforce is a productive workforce—not to mention evidence that HR is doing its job and the company is treating its employees with respect. The best way to learn what’s making people upset is just to listen to them; thankfully, people are usually more than willing to have a good vent and get any complaints off their chest.
At TrueConnect, we work with hundreds of HR Directors and hear many of the same comments about their employees. Let’s take a look at five of the most common complaints you’re likely to hear in the workplace. How many have you heard around the office?
1. Higher salaries and internal pay equity
Understandably, money is a top concern for employees across industries. If people feel that they’re being underpaid, they’ll feel demotivated and their productivity will suffer. The same is true should they learn that their co-workers are being paid more than they are. The best way to approach this issue is to foster an environment where people can talk openly about their desire for a raise, and to communicate any budgetary constraints clearly and honestly. It’s also beneficial for employees to have a clear understanding of what performance is required to qualify for additional compensation.
2. Not enough feedback from managers
When an employee works hard and exerts themselves, few things are more demoralizing than a lack of recognition and feedback. By ensuring sufficient communication from the top of the business down to low-level employees, people will better understand how their work contributes to the business and, as a result, feel more motivated to make a positive impact.
3. The workplace changes too frequently
Uncertainty is always a great cause of stress, whether it’s in your personal or professional life. And while it’s important for modern businesses to be agile and to adapt to trends, constant change can be detrimental to worker morale. Sometimes it’s better to let employees settle into a new structure and enjoy a bit of stability, instead of uprooting everything to accommodate a peripheral insight from some new Forbes article on a whim.
4. The workload is too heavy
While it’s normal for employees to feel overburdened occasionally, a consistently heavy workload can be demotivating and lead to fatigue and sickness. If you hear people complaining about the sheer quantity of work they’re expected to do—and about how they often have to complete work after hours—then your company might be managing their capacity poorly. Make sure employees are able to voice their concerns without fear of reprisal, and that you have systems in place to ensure the optimal distribution of work.
5. Lack of employee benefits
Employees always appreciate it when their senior management follows through on their positive rhetoric with genuine actions and company policies. Few things suck the joy out of a monthly paycheck quite like watching it all go towards necessary medical expenses like prescription drugs and dental work. Providing even basic health insurance, or a voluntary employee benefits program, can go a long way to ensure your company’s employees are happy, healthy, and have fewer things to complain about.
If you’ve heard any of these complaints voiced around the water cooler in your office, then your colleagues might need a morale boost. Get in touch with TrueConnect today to learn how an employee wellness program can alleviate stress levels and reduce staff turnover in your company.[nz_gap height=”30″ /]
